It could not have been timed any better: Coming off the heels of the recent FDA warning on the use of noninvasive prenatal test (NIPTS), a new study soon to be released in May 2022 is calling its use into further question. Is this a return of the Maternal Serum QUAD screen? Listen in and find out.
On April 19, 2022 the FDA released a warning regarding the inappropriate use of cell free DNA genetic screening tests. Within 24 hours, the ACOG (April 20, 2022) issued a statement response. In this podcast we will highlight these two key documents. We will also review what cell free DNA is and is not. What is the role of Ultrasound in genetic screening? Can cell free DNA be repeated after a “no call” result? Lots of important information… Covered here!
Without doubt, the most common reason for requested progestin-intrauterine system (IUS) removal is abnormal bleeding patterns. But do you know what the second most common reason is? It’s acne! In this episode, we will summarize a soon to be released article accepted for print in Obstetrics and Gynecology (the Green Journal). This episode will provide practical clinical pearls to truly obtain informed consent from our patients seeking long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS).
On Friday, April 15, 2022, I received a Facebook question regarding a recent episode on ROM test. We stated that ROM Plus, as a test, has accuracy between 23 to 37 weeks. Where does that come from? In this brief episode, will explain the facts.
Today, April 11, 2022, the ACOG updated its practice advisory regarding chronic hypertension in pregnancy. This follows the statement from the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine recognizing the change in practice based on the CHAP trial. In this session we will summary ACOG’s response.
Since 2005, experts have advocated for ovarian conservation, until the age of 65, at time of hysterectomy for benign indication. However, a soon to be released publication is calling for a retraction of that opinion! Based on brand new data, do you know the age NOW at which ovarian removal is recommended? In this session, we will review this brand new information that will greatly impact how we perform hysterectomy for benign indications.
A study published on April 2, 2022 in The New England Journal of Medicine, "Treatment for Mild Chronic Hypertension during Pregnancy” (CHAP Trial) has resulted in ACOG calling to order its Practice Advisory Committee to prepare a “practice update” regarding the management of mild to moderate hypertension in pregnancy. This recent publication is practice changing! While we await the revised guidelines and official statement from the ACOG, this podcast will review the current state of affairs rega...
This is Part 2 where we will wrap up our review of commercially available screening tests for ROM. Do you know what each test specifically checks for? Which test seems to outperform the others? And what about ferning and pH testing? Are those still done? Let’s wrap up our 2-part series with these answers and more.
PROM is a common diagnosis in Labor and Delivery. However, making a false positive diagnosis OR a false negative one may place the pregnancy at risk of either unnecessary interventions or adverse perinatal outcomes- or both. In this session, we will review best practices for exam based diagnosis. Are you aware of the FDA “Dear Doctor” letter regarding ROM biomarker testing (2018)? This session is Part 1. In Part 2, we will dive deep into the 3 main biomarker tests for ROM- how they differ, how t...
Some things in medical practice stem more out of tradition than true clinical evidence. Such is the case for histological examination of the placenta. When is pathological examination of the placenta actually helpful? Should we send of the placenta in cases of multifetal birth? What about meconium or chorioamnionitis? In the session, we will review a soon to be released clinical brief from Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) coming out April 2022. This new evidence review questions our current clin...
There is a recommendation for universal screening of Hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnancy. Which antiviral medication is recommended for prevention of Hep B vertical transmission in pregnancy? Is there a antiviral medication approved for Hepatitis C in pregnancy? In this session, we will review new data which is soon-to-be released in the American Journal of OB/GYN (Gray Journal) reviewing antepartum (maternal) antiviral medication used to prevent mother to child transmission of Hepatitis B....
Why is Magnesium Sulfate the first-line medication for preeclampsia/eclampsia? How did that arise into the current, international, standard-of-care regiment for that condition? Is 24 hours of Postpartum Mag evidence-based? In this episode we will review the evolution of magnesium sulfate for eclampsia prevention/treatment. We will also summarize a soon to be released systematic review and meta-analysis publication from Obstetrics & Gynecology examining the duration of postpartum MagSulfate u...
Pregnancies that arise after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are at higher risk of maternal, fetal, and even placental complications. In this session we will summarize and highlight key prenatal management pearls for pregnancies that arise after ART. This is a summary of the SMFM consult series # 60, from March 2022.
Preeclampsia occurs in 3 to 5% of the general OB population. It has even higher prevalence among those with high-risk conditions. Currently, aspirin stands alone as the most evidence-based pharmacological option for preeclampsia prevention (risk reduction). But over the last decade new interest has arisen for the use of statins for preeclampsia prevention. Well, do statins work? What is the state of statin therapy as of 2022? In this session we will review the latest data and review the key path...
Couples trying to conceive often ask questions like these: When is the best time to have sex to get pregnant? Is there a better sexual position to have sex in order to conceive? Is one type of over the counter lubrication better than the other? Well despite weird myths and misperceptions about these subjects, there are firm answers we can give. In this podcast we will cover the January 2022 ASRM Bulletin on ways to “optimize natural fertility”.
Hydrotherapy (water immersion) has a proven safety record and proven benefits in the first stage of labor. But what about actually delivering with water immersion? In January 2022, the AAP released a Committee Opinion regarding water immersion delivery. The AAP echoes the words from the ACOG regarding water immersion births. However, the ACNM does not agree. In this session, we will review the established and conflicting viewpoints from these organizations regarding water immersion in labor and ...
The old adage, “Too much of anything is a bad thing”, is traditionally credited to Mark Twain. Was he right? Does the same apply to medical information?What about finding incidental genetic carrier states from online companies like “23AndMe”? In a patient with no personal or family history of any medical complication or malignancy, is this information helpful or more psychologically harmful? In this episode we will review a recent real-world case of how gynecological care was impacted by a patie...
Semen allergy is a real (although rare) immune reaction. Do you know what the presenting signs/symptoms are?The ISSM has established diagnostic criteria for this. In this session, we will review the diagnostic algorithm for a patient presenting with possible semen allergy.
Postpartum hemorrhage continues to be a worldwide leaning cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. In May 2021, the WHO updated it’s global recommendations for the use of “uterine balloon tamponade” in the management of PPH. Did the WHO ban the Bakri? In the session we will review the May 2021 WHO updated guidance and summarize a soon to be released guideline commentary from the ACOG (proposed release date March 2022).
Globally, more than 200 million infants have been born since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been unclear whether fetal exposure to maternal SARS-CoV2 infection can adversely affect the child’s neurodevelopmental progress. Does having Covid during pregnancy affect the child’s neurodevelopment? The answer is intriguing! This is a tale of a pandemic, psychosocial stress response, and epigenetic changes. (Data summary from JAMA Pediatrics; Jan 2022).
In the ACOG Practice Bulletin #106, which was released in 2009, the use of maternal supplemental oxygen for fetal heart rate tracing correction is mentioned. In that original bulletin, it states “despite inadequate data to support its use” consideration can be given to supplemental maternal oxygen for category II or III fetal heart rate tracings. However, within the last 7 years, an ever-growing body of evidence has proven that supplemental oxygen for fetal heart rate pattern abnormalities is no...
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are a large contributor to maternal mortality. Maternal mortality rates for chronic hypertension in pregnancy have increased 15-fold over the last 4 decades! The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) has been a leading authority in the Pregnancy Hypertensive space. In the session, we will review BIG updates from the CMQCC. Should we aggressively treat chronic hypertension in pregnancy? What about treating nonsevere gestational hypertension? Ar...
Concerns about a possible association between COVID-19 vaccination and abnormal menstrual cycles may lead to vaccine hesitancy. Social media sites have claimed that cycles are affected, although temporarily, after vaccination. Is this true? In the session, we will summarize a soon to be released publication out of Obstetrics and Gynecology which helps clarify this issue. We will also highlight a press release from January 6, 2022 from a major news outlet which seemingly appears to distort those ...
Women with multiple prior low-transverse CSs show a trend toward increased risk of rupture compared with a single prior CS. While some have advocated planned repeat CS at 39 weeks as in patients with a SINGLE previous cesarean, planned repeat CD at 38 weeks is likely to be associated with a lower risk of uterine rupture. Yet, there is no consensus on best practice. In this session, we will summarize a new AJOG publication (Jan 2022) that raises some interesting and clinically meaningful data reg...
In 1997, Mercer et al first published their data on antibiotic use for PPROM latency. With IV Erythromycin shortages, Zmax is a known substitute. New data (EPUB December 2021) now points to Zithromax’s validated clinical advantage over Erythromycin in this protocol. In this session, we will review this soon to be released publication in AJOG.
Traditionally, physicians have informed patients that long acting reversible contraceptives are “just as effective“ as female sterilization. While as a Class that statement is correct, not all individual LARCS have the same efficacy; one in particular beats all other birth control methods, hands-down. Do you know which one? In this session we will review key facts regarding female sterilization and review the individual efficacies of long acting reversible contraceptives. We will also review the...
As of December 23, 2021 the FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization to 2 different oral medications (Pfizer; Merck) in the fight against Covid-19. Do you know the differences between PAXLOVID and molnupiravir (LAGEVRIO)? What are their indications for use? Are both allowable in pregnancy? This information is “hot off the press” and will update you on these 2 new, novel therapies.
In our previous podcast, we stated that – due to lack of data – early cord clamping may be considered with nonvigorous neonates. However, the babies that may benefit the most (preterm or extremely pre-term) are often “nonvigorous” at birth. So how do we reconcile this issue? This podcast will answer this dilemma, summarizing points from the January 2022 CME publication on “Placental Transfusion of the Neonate“.
There are 3 umbilical cord management strategies at time of delivery: (1) Early cord clamping, (2) Delayed clamping, and (3) Cord milking. How long should umbilical cord clamping be delayed? Is cord milking beneficial or potentially harmful? Are you familiar with the contraindications to delayed umbilical cord clamping? In this session, we will review this soon to be released CME article from Obstetrics & Gynecology (The Green Journal) covering “placental transfusion of the neonate”.
The clinical gold standard for the diagnosis of ruptured membranes is the sterile speculum examination (SSE). Tests like Amnisure or ROM+ are considered ancillary and supplemental. What is best clinical practice for performing a SSE? In the session we will review this procedure, discuss ancillary testing, and answer the age-old-question… “To lube or not to lube”.
